Wynn was himself awarded Disney Legend status posthumously in 2013, an honor that would have doubtlessly pleased him. He also memorably appeared with Hayley Mills in “That Darn Cat!” (1965).Įd Wynn is caricatured in his role as the Toymaker on this “Little Gem” record sleeve from Walt Disney’s musical fantasy “Babes in Toyland.” (Author’s collection) Wynn worked with Fred MacMurray in both “The Absent-Minded Professor” (1961) and its sequel “Son of Flubber” (1963), as well as with Annette Funicello on the big screen in “Babes in Toyland” (1961) and on television in “The Golden Horseshoe Revue” (1962). Among his co-stars were some of Walt’s other favorites, each a Disney Legend in their own right. Re-create it later within the more fidelic confines of a recording booth.Įd Wynn would go on to host another memorable tea party–this time, one held on the ceiling! As Uncle Albert to Julie Andrews’ “practically perfect” nanny in “Mary Poppins” (1964), Wynn literally soared to new heights as an on-camera Disney talent. Team opted to capture Wynn’s brilliant delivery as it happened over trying to Sequence dialogue were lifted directly from the staged filming sessions, as the Therefore, portions of the finished tea party While filming live-action referenceįootage to inspire the Hatter’s drawn incarnation, Wynn would never perform a Inventive actor’s brilliant, silly spontaneity proved a delightful Indeed, Wynn received the top talent billing in all of the finished picture’s original promotional materials.Įd Wynn as the Mad Hatter … or the Mad Hatter as Ed Wynn?įilming early live-action reference footage. For the showcase role of the Mad Hatter, though, WaltĬast the biggest celebrity he’d ever used in an immersive, non-narratingĪ vaudeville, Broadway and radio star of the first magnitude, Wynn’s comedic presence, distinctive speech and irrepressible giggle would be instantly recognizable to audiences. (the Queen of Hearts), Bill Thompson (the White Rabbit, the Dodo) and JerryĬolonna (the March Hare). The film was underway in earnest, a cast of versatile voices was assembled, ledīy Kathryn Beaumont as Alice, with well-known radio players like Verna Felton The Party Begins: Story art by Disney Legend Bill Peet Story, design and song ideas were developed intermittently across two decades. Luminaries like Mary Pickford and Ginger Rogers were interested in the project, but eventually, Walt opted for a completely animated approach. As he found Hollywood fame and built his studio, Walt’s thoughts were never far from creating a “Wonderland” adaptation in earnest. ![]() Long before the birth of Mickey Mouse, young Walt had loosely based his first successful film series, the silent “Alice Comedies,” on Lewis Carroll’s premise of a little girl journeying through a fantastic realm–in this case, placing a live-action actress in an animated environment. While the Mad Hatter himself is now golden, it is well worth mentioning that the occasion of Walt Disney bringing Alice’s “golden afternoon” Wonderland adventure to the screen was something to celebrate, as well. In Walt Disney’s animated classic “Alice in Wonderland” (1951), the Hatter is a tempest with a teacup–making his appearance as part of the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection” all the more remarkable – for once, he is standing still! Everyone joining The World’s Most Magical Celebration in Walt Disney World can now admire the Mad Hatter in all his golden glory as a whimsical statue positioned, naturally, in view of the dancing dishware of the Mad Tea Party attraction. ![]() “Clean cups! Clean cups–move down!” cries the Mad Hatter as he and the March Hare gallop through the frenzied fun of fiction’s most famous tea party.
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